Cardio-Respiratory Changes in Response to Short Term Practice of Yoga.

Yoga is an ancient way of life devised to improve the quality of life of an individual. Practice of yoga is proposed to benefit the cardio- respiratory health. This study was intended to assess the influence of short term practice of yoga for a month on Heart rate variability (HRV) and pulmonary function test. Twenty two healthy female volunteers in the age group of 30-60 years who practiced yoga for a month were included in the study. Heart rate variability was assessed by using HRV device (RMS Vagus, India) and pulmonary functions were assessed by computerized spirometry (Respmed Spirobank G, MIR SRL, Italy). Pre interventional assessment of HRV and spirometry was done in these subjects. Practice of yoga that included a set of physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana) done for duration of one month under the guidance of a certified yoga instructor. Post interventional assessment of HRV and spirometry was done. Statistical analysis was done to compare the changes using paired t test and Wilcoxan sign ranked test. There was a significant reduction in low frequency (LF) component of HRV from 31.25 (20.5-39.28) to 26.15 (17.57 - 29.30) and increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) from 94.46 ± 13.55 to 96.31 ± 14.27 , 93.46 ± 15.32 to 95.73 ± 16.48 and 79.96 ± 15.5 to 85.38 ± 18.45.(p<0.05). Yoga on regular practice for a month improves Cardio-respiratory health in healthy females.